Log inSign up

O caderno está debaixo da mesa.

O caderno está debaixo da mesa.
The notebook is under the table.
From Lesson 30:Prepositions of place (ao lado de, em frente de...)·Portuguese (Portugal)

Questions & Answers about O caderno está debaixo da mesa.

Why does it say debaixo da instead of just debaixo de?
The phrase for "under" is debaixo de. However, Portuguese combines de with the word for "the" that comes right after it. Since mesa (table) is feminine, it uses a (the). When you mix de + a, they contract to form da.
Why do we need the word de in debaixo de? Can I just say debaixo a mesa?
No, you always need de. In Portuguese, basic location words like debaixo (under), em cima (on top), and ao lado (next to) function a bit like saying "underneath of" or "on top of" in English. You must include de to connect the location to the object.
Why do we use está for "is" here instead of é?
The verb estar (which está comes from) is used for physical locations, even if the object doesn't move often. You would use ser (which é comes from) for permanent traits, like what color the notebook is, but estar is the strict rule for saying where things physically are.
I know mesa means table, but will "under" always use da?
It uses da here specifically because mesa is a feminine noun. If the notebook were under a masculine object, like a book (o livro), you would use the masculine contraction do instead (debaixo do livro).

Learn O caderno está debaixo da mesa and more in Portuguese

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning Portuguese →